Asbestos Exposure

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos refers to six naturally occurring silicate minerals. Asbestos fibers are strong and resistant to heat, electricity and chemical damage. These qualities once made asbestos very useful for industrial applications such as insulation, roofing, and fireproofing. However, asbestos is also a known carcinogen and its use is now highly restricted in the United States.

Quick Facts about Asbestos

• Asbestos fibers are so small they can only be identified under a microscope
• Inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers are linked to health issues
• Asbestos exposure is responsible for 12,000-15,000 deaths per year in the U.S.
• Mesothelioma is a rare cancer strongly linked to asbestos exposure
• There is no safe level of asbestos exposure

Asbestos-Related Deaths in the United States

According to the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), exposure to asbestos kills approximately 12,000 to 15,000 people per year in the United States alone. This statistic shows asbestos is linked to many cases of occupational cancer. In fact, asbestos exposure accounts for 3,000 deaths from mesothelioma per year. Hundreds of thousands of deaths have resulted from asbestos since the late 1800s.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a health issue due to asbestos exposure or suspect you may have been exposed to asbestos, contact our lawyers today.

Occupations with a High Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Although asbestos use is now highly regulated, many workers were exposed on the job before regulations were put in place. Occupations with high rates of asbestos exposure include:

• Construction and demolition workers
• Shipbuilders and maritime workers
• Auto mechanics
• Power plant and refinery workers
• Iron and steel workers
• Insulators
• Railroad workers
• Industrial site workers
• Manufacturing and factory workers
• Miners
• Military veterans
• Firefighters

If you worked in any of these fields, especially prior to 1983, you may have had significant asbestos exposure without even realizing it.

Legal Support for Railroad Workers Exposed to Asbestos

Railroad workers who have been exposed to asbestos face unique challenges when seeking compensation for mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) may let injured railroad workers and their families seek compensation.

Historically, asbestos was extensively used in the railroad industry for insulation, brake linings, and other materials. Many workers were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis without adequate protection or warnings about the dangers. Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma can take many years to appear, so many railroad workers are only now being diagnosed.

Filing a FELA claim requires showing that the railroad company was negligent in failing to protect workers from asbestos exposure and that this negligence played a part in the development of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition. Asbestos lawyers who handle FELA claims can help with the process.

Braver Law handles FELA claims for railroad workers diagnosed with mesothelioma. Our team can build your case and help you seek compensation. If you or a loved one worked for a railroad and was exposed to asbestos, contact us today to learn about your legal options.

Asbestos Exposure Sites and Common Locations

In addition to occupational exposure, many people encounter asbestos in common products and locations. Before safety regulations were enacted, asbestos was used in thousands of products including:

• Insulation
• Ceiling and floor tiles
• Roofing shingles
• Siding
• Clutches and brakes in automobiles
• Hot water pipes
• Old stoves and furnaces

Asbestos fibers can be released into the air anytime these materials are disturbed during renovations, repairs or demolition. If you live in an older home, have done renovations or repairs, or worked in an industrial setting, you may have been exposed to this toxic material.

Diseases Linked to Exposure to Asbestos

Inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers are linked to life-threatening illnesses with long latency periods. Diseases linked to asbestos include:

Mesothelioma – This rare and serious cancer affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart or testicles. Asbestos exposure is the main known risk factor for mesothelioma.

Lung Cancer – Lung cancer is the most common cancer linked to asbestos in the U.S. The combination of asbestos and smoking greatly increases lung cancer risk.

Asbestosis – Asbestos fibers become lodged in lung tissue and are linked to heavy scarring that restricts breathing and can be fatal.

Pleural Plaques – Calcified lesions on the pleura, which is the membrane around the lungs. This condition can cause pain and restrict breathing.

Pleural Effusions – Buildup of fluid between the pleura and the lungs, leading to pain, fever and shortness of breath.

Other Asbestos-Related Cancers – Could include colon cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, throat cancer, and pharyngeal cancer.

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos is at risk of developing these diseases. The time between first exposure and diagnosis is typically 20-50 years. If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Early detection is key for effective treatment.

The 6 Types of Asbestos

While asbestos refers to a group of 6 naturally occurring minerals, the fibers have different properties and levels of toxicity. The most common types of asbestos are:

1. Chrysotile – Also known as white asbestos, this is the most widely used form. Chrysotile fibers are curly and pliable, making them useful for fabrics, yarns, papers, and cement products.
2. Amosite – Known as brown asbestos, amosite features needle-like fibers and was often used for cement sheets, pipes, tiles, and roofing materials. It is considered one of the most dangerous forms.
3. Crocidolite – Referred to as blue asbestos, crocidolite has straight, stiff fibers. It was commonly used for insulation, plastics, and friction products. Crocidolite is the most hazardous type of asbestos.
4. Tremolite – A contaminant of chrysotile deposits, tremolite asbestos is needle-like. This toxic mineral is found in talc, vermiculite, and other industrial materials.
5. Anthophyllite – This gray-brown amphibole mineral has long, brittle fibers. Although not as commercially popular as other types, it was used in some cement and insulation products.
6. Actinolite – Needle-shaped fibers make this colorless to greenish mineral useful for fillers and insulation. It occurs as a contaminant in some talc deposits.

While all types of asbestos are dangerous, amosite, crocidolite, and tremolite are considered the most toxic. Knowing the different types of fibers can help identify materials that could pose a health risk.

Key Asbestos Properties

The unique properties of asbestos once made it invaluable for many commercial uses. However, we now know that these same attributes also make asbestos highly toxic. Asbestos possesses:

1. Heat resistance – Asbestos has excellent thermal insulation properties and can be used in high-temperature applications. However, heat and flames can also release asbestos fibers into the air.
2. Chemical resistance – Asbestos fibers do not react to most chemical compounds or degrade over time. This allowed widespread use but it also means fibers remain in the environment.
3. Strength – Asbestos fibers have extremely high tensile strength compared to their weight. This made asbestos useful for cement, fabrics, and other materials.
4. Non-conductivity – Asbestos does not conduct heat or electricity, making it useful for insulation around hot pipes, boilers, and electrical wiring.
5. Flexibility – Chrysotile asbestos fibers can be spun into fabrics and yarns. Amosite and crocidolite fibers are also flexible.
6. Low cost – Abundant mineral deposits and easy mining of asbestos made it inexpensive for manufacturers.

These properties led to asbestos being used in thousands of products. However, robust asbestos fibers also break easily into microscopic pieces that embed in body tissues when inhaled or ingested.

VA Benefits for Military Asbestos Exposure

All branches of the military used asbestos extensively between the 1930s through the 1970s in everything from insulation to shipbuilding. Veterans whose asbestos exposure happened during service may be eligible for VA benefits. That’s a separate VA process, and VA.gov explains how to apply.

Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuits

People suffering from mesothelioma were almost always exposed to asbestos due to manufacturer negligence or exposure at work. While no amount of money can make up for this cancer, compensation can help pay for:

• Medical bills not covered by health insurance
• Lost income from being unable to work
• Costs of traveling to cancer centers for treatment
• Necessary modifications to accommodate disabilities
• Funeral and burial expenses for loved ones
• Support for spouses and dependent children

Successful legal action also pressures companies to take responsibility for wrongful asbestos use that endangered workers and the public. A mesothelioma lawyer at Braver Law can help victims and families seek compensation.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Many companies that commonly used asbestos in their products have established special trust funds to provide financial compensation to victims without going through litigation. Asbestos trusts have an estimated $30 billion set aside for people who meet their criteria. Companies with trusts include:

• Johns-Manville
• Owens Corning
• W.R. Grace
• CertainTeed
• Fibreboard Corporation
• United States Gypsum
• Pittsburgh Corning
• Babcock & Wilcox, Inc.

Filing a claim with an asbestos trust with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer can provide compensation without lengthy trials. Eligibility depends on your work history and an asbestos-related diagnosis. We gather the records for you. Our mesothelioma lawyers will help you navigate the trusts and help you file your claim.

Braver Law: Helping Those with Asbestos Exposure

If you or a loved one suffered harm from asbestos, the compassionate mesothelioma lawyers at Braver Law are here to help. We are dedicated advocates for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. Our firm assists with:

• Compiling occupational and environmental exposure histories
• Gathering crucial medical and work documentation
• Filing claims with asbestos trust funds
• Representing clients in personal injury lawsuits
• Helping clients find cancer doctors and treatment centers
• Seeking compensation through settlements or verdicts

Our goal is to help clients and families seek compensation. We also strive to hold negligent corporations fully accountable for the lives endangered by reckless asbestos use. Don’t wait to protect your rights to compensation for an asbestos-related condition. Contact our law offices today for a free consultation with a mesothelioma lawyer.

Financial Compensation for Asbestos Exposure

The emotional toll of an asbestos disease is immense, and the costs can also become overwhelming. Expenses for medical treatments, travel to specialty hospitals, home modifications, lost wages, and more add up quickly. If negligence by asbestos manufacturers or property owners is linked to your illness, you may have legal options to seek financial compensation. With a mesothelioma lawyer assisting you, compensation can come from any combination of:

• Personal injury lawsuits
• Out-of-court settlements with defendants
• Claims filed with asbestos bankruptcy trust funds
• VA benefits for veterans
• Victims’ funds in some states

Money alone cannot erase the suffering linked to preventable asbestos exposure. However, compensation can ease financial stressors so you and your family can focus on the most important thing – your health and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Asbestos Risks